Vacuum cleaner



W. J. CLEM ENTS Dec. 22, 1942.

VACUUM CLEANER Original Filed July 1, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 172276721507 WZ'ZZzZwz JTC'ZemenS y KM 1M1;

Attorngg Dec. 22, 1942. w. J. CLEMENTS VACUUM CLEANER Original Filed July 1, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inverzfor 7762M CZemenfi.

Atto rrzgyfi v Reisaued Dec. 22, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VACUUM CLEANER William J. Clements, Chicago, 111., assignor to Clements Mfg. 00., Chicago, 111., a. corporation Illinois Original No. 2,245,760, dated June 17, 1941, Serial No. 282,372, July 1, 1939. Application for reissue August 17, 1942, Serial No. 455,129

13 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in vacuum cleaners.

One purpose is the provision of an improved vacuum cleaner of the type in which the dust bag, motor and fan are enclosed within a housmg.

Another purpose is the provision of an improved ian and motor unit for use in such hous- 8.

Another purpose is the provision of a fan and motor unit which can be unitarily removed from such a housing.

Another purpose is the provision of an improved fan structure.

Another purpose is the provision of a motor and fan unit adapted for easy bodily insertion and removal.

Another purpose is to provide such a unit which is insertable and removable through a cylindrical open end of a tank type housing.

Another purpose is the provision of supporting means for the motor and fan unit of a tank type cleaner which includes abutment means for limiting the penetration of the unit into the cylindrical open end of the housing.

Other purposes will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a cleaner casing with some of the mechanism in side elevation;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the strainer and fan parts;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation with back cover removed;

Fig. 4 is a face view of the strainer housing;

Fig. 5 is a face view of the strainer removed from the housing;

Fig. 6 is a section at the line 6-8 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a section at the line 1-1 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a section at the line 8-8 n Fig. with the parts separated;

Fig. 9 is a detail of the forward end; and

Fig. 10 is a detail of the rear end.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout thespecification and drawings.

Referring to the drawings, I generally indicates a tubular or cylindrical housing, which has at one end a ring 2, including a flange portion 3 which fit about the exterior of one end of the housing I.

The ring is shown as removably secured to the having any suitable air outlet apertures 8.

exhaust end of the housing and as engaging or 55 abutting against the end of the housing when secured.

4 indicates any suitable screws or other securing means whereby the ring may be secured to the housing. 5 indicates a spider structure extending generally radially inwardly from the ring and supporting the inner hub 6, herein shown as unitary with the spider and ring.

I is any suitable removable covering or cap 9 is a ring of rubber or the like set within a central aperture of the hub 6. 10 generally indicates a shield or ring having a circumferential flange H and a central air aperture 12, which element forms part of the fan assembly. Extending inwardly from the inner edge of the ring [0 are supports 13, which carry an inner ring 14, which extend inwardly in the form of ribs, as at l5, and are provided with ledge abutments l6, which receive the motor field laminations IT. The bearing sleeve I8 is mounted upon inwardly extending arms l9 unitary with the above described structure. Any suitable anti-friction bearings may be mounted in the sleeve 18 to support the motor shaft 2|, which carries any suitable motor armature rotating within the field laminations ll.

22 is an abutment ring abutting against the opposite end of the group of field laminations ll. Any suitable means, for example bolts 23, may be employed for clamping it and for thereby holding the laminations ll against the abutment ledges 18 of the members IS. The ring 22 also is adapted to support any suitable brushes as upon the bridge 25, which brushescooperate with the commutator of the motor. 25 is a generally cylindrical outer extension of the bridge 25, which penetrates the central aperture within the rubber sleeve 9.

Any suitable switch structure may be used, generally indicated as 28, 29, the details of which do not of themselves form part of the present invention. I illustrate, however, two separate outwardly extending manually manipulatable switch members 30, 3|. 32 indicates any suitable conductive line extending to any suitable source of electric power not herein shown.

Mounted upon the flange H of the ring In is a fan housing structure, which includes two nesting cylindrical housing members 40, 4|, carrying inwardly extending partition walls 42, 43, each centrally apertured as at 44, 45, the central aperture being bordered by an inturned lip 46, 41. as shown in Fig. 2. They provide a fan housing The two members 40, 4| are secured separated into two main compartments. In or der to support the ring I for ready endwise removal from the housing I, I provide a yielding compressible ring 48 of rubber or the like. Unitary locking means, such as the screws 49 may be employed for locking the rubber ring 48 between the flanges 50, 5I. of the members 40 and II, respectively.

Mounted on one face of the wall 42, I provide an additional partition 53, the outer edge of which terminates short of the inner face of the member I I. This partition is centrally apertured as at 54 and carries a plurality of fixed vanes 55, preferably somewhat inclined from the radial.

Mounted on the outer face of the partition wall 43 is an air filter assembly. which includes the ring 60, which may be riveted as at El to the wall 43 is an air filter assembly, which includes portion or ledge 52 and an intermediate portion 63, provided with air inlets E4. The ring 50 carries at its outer edge the unitary cylindrical wall 35 having a ledge 85 adapted to receive a filter structure, including rings 81, 68, having abutting outwardly extending flanges 89, I0, secured together as by an enveloping circumferential rubber ring II, generally U-shaped in cross section. Inwardly extending flanges I2, I3 embrace any suitable filter structure, which may be formed by layers of mesh I4, I5, with any suitable intermediate packing confined therebetween. The filter ring may be locked in position as by the inwardly offset portions 11.

The motor shaft 2| is shown as having an extension 80 into the fan housing. It may be positioned in relation to the bearing in any suitable manner. I illustrate a hub structure, including a sleeve 8|, with spacing washers 82, 83, and 84. Mounted on the shaft extension 80 and spaced by the sleeve 8I, are fan discs 85, 80, each carrying a plurality of arcuate vanes 81, which support rings 88, 89, apertured at 880 and 88a. The inner end of the shaft extension 80 is screw threaded as at 90 and receives a locking nut 9I, abutting against a washer 92 and a sleeve 93, the fan disc 80 being confined between the washers 83 and 84.

It will be observed, as in Fig. 2, that, in re sponse to the rotation of the motor and of the fan structure, air is drawn inwardly in the direction of the arrows through the filter and the foraminous plate 63. Air then passes through the aperture 45 and into the first fan, being directed outwardly toward the inner face of the wall II. It then passes inwardly along the fixed baffles 55 through the central aperture 44. and also through the aperture 54 of the baffle 53, and is then directed outwardly by the second fan. Air is deflected by the ring I0 and passes about the above described motor structure and then upwardly through the spider 5 to the air outlet passage 8, thus cooling the motor.

It will be noted that the entire fan and motor assembly can be readily and unitarily removed from the housing I by simply releasing the screws 4 and the below described runner structure.

The ring 2 serves as an abutment for limiting the penetration of the motor and fan unit into the open end of the housing.

Another ring I00 is mounted at the opposite end of the housing. The rings 2 and I00 are both provided with outwardly extending lugs IOI, which may be apertured as at I02 to receive the recurved upbent ends I03 of any suitable runner structures I04. I05 indicate locking set screws in the lugs IOI adapted to lock the runners in place.

I08 is any suitable bag structure having an open end I01 and any suitable supporting ring I08 abutting against a portion of the ring I00, with a rubber gasket ring between. I09 is any suitable closure which may be locked in position, for example by a plurality of locking hooks IIO pivoted as at III on the locking lever II2, which is pivoted at II3 on the casing I. The closure I09 is provided with a centrally apertured sleeve II4 adapted to receive any suitable suction inlet or hose connection II5, which is provided with a bayonet slot II6 adapted to receive any suitable locking pin H1. H8 is any suitable carrying handle secured to the top of the housing I.

It will be observed that the housing cap I is apertured as at 21 to permit the entry of the conductive connection 32. The relation between the aperture and the conductive connection is such that the cap I can be removed without disturbing the conductive connection. The switch structure 28, 28, 30, 3I may also be readily disconnected from the housing I and withdrawn with the unit in order to prevent any impediment to the endwise outward movement of the motor and fan assembly.

It will be realized that whereas I have described and illustrated a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative or diagrammatic, rather than as limiting me to my precise showing.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

I provide a unitary open-ended tubular housing I, to which the opposite ends of the rings 2 and I 00 are applied and from which they may be readily removed if necessary. Air flows inwardly through the hose connection II5 from any suitable suction nozzle not herein shown. This air, filled with dirt, flows into the interior of the bag I06 and is constrained to fiow through the fabric or mesh of which the bag is formed, there depositing the dust or dirt which it carries. The air then fiows through the filter structure, which includes the fibrous material I6. If desired, any suitable disinfectant may be employed to impregnate the filter structure. The air then fiows through the two-stage fan, elsewhere herein described and shown, and thence outwardly about the motor. Referring to Fig. 2, the ring I0 directs air inwardly through the aperture I2, the ring or shield member I0 constituting a directing lip. Air is thus directed by the exterior of the laminations II. Air is also directed directly into the motor structure in the space extending between the spider arms I8. There is thus no substantial impediment to the direction of cooling air about and through the motor. The entire fan and motor unit may readily be removed from the housing I for inspection or repair.

The ring 48 serves asa vibration preventing support for one end of the fan and motor unit, and the other end is supported in the rubber ring 8. However, since the rubber ring 8 is supported upon the ring 2 and its associated spider structure, and since the ring 48 is slidable in relation to the housing I, the entire motor and fan unit. although readily removable, is also sufficiently supported in a vibration preventing relationship to the housing I.

The ring 2 serves as a limiting abutment for the insertion of the motor and fan unit into the cylindrical open end of the housing. The unit is inserted fan first into the exhaust end of the housing I, and the ring 48 slides along the inner face of the housing and serves as a continuing guide during insertion and as a support for the inner end of the unit when the unit is fixed in position. The ring 2 serves as an abutment for limiting the penetration of the unit into the open end of the housing when the ring 2 engages the edge of the housing I. All that is necessary, in order to secure the parts, is to align the apertures for the screws 4. A single aligning action is necessary, since if one pair of apertures is aligned, all of the rest of them are also, and the screws I can readily and quickly be inserted. Note that it is not necessary to remove the outer cover 1 in the course of the insertion, or removal, of the motor and fan unit. It will be observed that the outer housing I is a cylinder of uniform diameter from end to end. The dust bag and its associated parts are inserted into and secured to one end of the housing, which may be called the charge end of the housing the motor and fan unit can be inserted and removed without disturbance to the dust bag structure. The ring 2 performs the function of a limiting stop for limiting the also serves as an outer end supporting means for the motor and fan unit. Also, the outer closure I is removably secured to the ring 2, and the entire unit, including the outer closure, can be moved from the ring 2 without interfering with the location or securing of the unit as a whole. The hub structure 6, 9 is generally co-planar with the ring 2 and is protected thereby as well as positioned.

I claim: 1. In a vacuum cleaner, a generally cylindrical exterior housing of substantially uniform interior diameter from end to end, means for normally supporting it in generally horizontal position, a mot-onand fan assembly entirely contained therein and insertable and removable through the motor a n d fan assembly to said housing, includ ltffErQQMESTFFfiEfiing an end of the housing, a spiderainsaid ring, agenerally central hub in saidspider -themiTt'dfassembly including a portion penetrating said hub, a 1119125225153?- 'l interposed said motor, a fan housing secured to said motor assembly, and a slidable supporting connection between said fan housing and the interior of said cylindrical housing, including a rubber washer secured to said fan housing an ada 0 act as a seal between said fan housing and the inner face of said cylindrical housing, the motor and fan assembly penetrating a cylindrical end portion of the housing, the outer end of which is of substantially the same diameter as the portion engaged by the rubber washer when the motor and fan assembly is secured within the housing. 2. In a vacuum cleaner, a generally cylindrical exterior housing of substantially uniform interior diameter from end to end, means for normally supporting it in generally horizontal position, a motor and fan assembly entirely contained therein and insertable and removable through the exhaust end thereof, and means for securing said motor and fan assembly to said housing, includintake or suction end. Into the opposite or disinward movement of the motor and fan unit. It

removed bodily, or the outer closure can be reexhaust end thereof, and means for securing said.

d hb and the penetrating portion of ing a ring removably engaging an end of the housing, a spider in said ring, a generally central hub in said spider, the motor assembly including a portion penetrating said hub, a fan housing secured to said motor assembly, and a slidable supporting connection between said fan housing and the interior of said cylindrical housing, including a rubber washer secured to said fan housing and adapted to act as a seal between said fan housing and the inner face of said cylindrical housing, the motor and fan assembly penetrating a cylindrical end portion of the housing, the outer end of which is of substantially the same diameter as the portion engaged by the rubber washer when the motor and fan assembly is secured within the housing.

3. In a vacuum cleaner, a generally cylindrical exterior housing of substantially uniform interior diameter from end to end, means for normally supporting it in generally horizontal position, a motor and fan assembly entirely contained therein and insertable and removable through the ex haust end thereof, and means for securing said motor and fan assembly to said housing, including a ring removably engaging an end of the housing, a generally central hub, and means for supporting it in said ring, the motor assembly including a portion penetrating said hub, a supporting element of yielding compressible material interposed between said hub and the penetrating portion of said motor, a fan housing secured to said motor assembly, and a slidable supporting connection between said fan housing and the interior of said cylindrical housing, including a rubber washer secured to said fan housing and adapted to act as a seal between said fan housing and the inner face of said cylindrical housing, the motor and fan assembly penetrating a cylindrical end portion of the housing, the outer end of which is of substantially the same diameter as the portion engaged by the rubber washer when the motor and fan assembly is secured within the housing.

4. In a vacuum cleaner, a generally cylindrical exterior housing of substantially uniform interior diameter from end to end, means for normally supporting it in generally horizontal position, a motor and fan assembly entirely contained therein and insertable and removable through the ex haust end thereof, and means for securing said motor and fan assembly to said housing, including a ring removably engaging an end of the housing, a generally central hub, and means for supporting it upon said ring, the motor assembly including a portion penetrating said hub, a fan housing secured to said motor assembly, and a slidable supporting connection between said fan housing and the interior of said cylindrical housing, including a rubber washer secured to said fan housing and adapted to act as a seal between said fan housing and the inner face of said cylindrical housing, the motor and fan assembly penetrating a cylindrical end portion of the housing, the outer end of which is of substantially the same diameter as the portion engaged by the rubber washer when the motor and fan assembly is secured within the housing.

5. In a vacuum cleaner, a generally cylindrical exterior housing of substantially uniform interior diameter from end to end. means for normally supporting it in generally horizontal position, a motor and fan assembly entirely contained therein and insertable and removable through the exhaust end thereof, and means for securing said motor and fan assembly to said housing, including a ring removably engaging an end of the housing, a generally central hub, and means for supporting it upon said ring, the motor assembly including a portion penetrating said hub, a fan assembly secured to said motor assembly, and a slidable supporting connection between said fanassembly and the interior of said cylindrical housing, including a rubber washer secured to said fan assembly and adapted to act as a seal between said fan housing and the inner face of said cylindrical housing, the motor and fan assembly penetrating a cylindrical end portion of the housing, the outer end of which is of substantially the same diameter as the portion en gaged by the rubber washer when the motor and fan assembly is secured within the housing.

6. In a tank type vacuum cleaner, an outer housing having a generally cylindrical exhaust end portion, a motor and fan unit adapted for insertion directly inwardly into said exhaust end portion and including a motor, a fan operated by the motor, and a fan housing, slidable inner supporting means between said unit and the inner face of the housing, and supporting means for the outer end of the unit, including a ring adapted removably to engage and abut against the end edge of the cylindrical portion of the housing, and a supporting connection between said ring and the unit.

7. In a tank type vacuum cleaner, an outer housing having a generally cylindrical exhaust end portion, a motor and fan unit adapted for insertion directly inwardly into said exhaust end portion and including a motor, a fan operated by the motor, and a fan housing, slidable inner supporting means between said unit and the inner face of the housing, and supporting means for the outer end of the unit, including a ring adapted removably to engage and abut against the end edge of the cylindrical portion of the housing, and a supporting connection between said ring and the unit, and an end closure for the housing, removably secured to said ring and removable unitarily with the ring from the housmg.

8. In a tank type vacuum cleaner, an outer housing having a generally cylindrical exhaust end portion, a motor and fan unit adapted for insertion directly inwardly into said exhaust end portion and including a motor, a fan operated by the motor, and a fan housing, slidable inner supporting means between said unit and the inner face of the housing, and supporting means for the outer end of the unit, including a ring adapted removably to engage and abut against the end edge of the cylindrical portion of the housing, and a supporting connection between said ring and the unit, the inner diameter of the housing being substantially uniform from the end edge of the housing through which the unit is inserted to the part of the housing engaged by said supporting means when the motor and fan unit is secured in position.

9. In a tank type vacuum cleaner, an outer housing having a generally cylindrical exhaust end portion, a motor and fan unit adapted for insertion directly inwardly into said exhaust end portion and including a motor, a fan operated by the motor, and a fan housing, slidable inner supporting means between said unit and the inner face of the housing, and supporting means for the outer end of the unit, including a ring adapted removably to engage and abut against nun-ch 1 the end edge of the cylindrical portion of the housing, and a supporting connection between said ring and the unit, said ring including a flange surrounding the exterior of the edge portion of the housing, and removable securing means extending through said flange and the housing.

10. In a tank type vacuum cleaner, an outer housing having a generally cylindrical exhaust end portion, a motor and fan unit adapted for insertion directly inwardly into said exhaust end portion and including a motor, a fan operated by the motor, and a fan housing, slidable inner supporting means between said unit and the inner face of the housing, and supporting means for the outer end of the unit, including a ring adapted removably to engage and abut against the end edge of the cylindrical portion of the housing, and a supporting connection between said ring and the unit, including a bearing hub for the motor, supported on the ring and substantially co-planar therewith,

11. In a tank type vacuum cleaner, an outer housing having a generally cylindrical exhaust end portion, a motor and fan unit adapted for insertion directly inwardly into said exhaust end portion and including a motor, a fan operated by the motor, and a fan housing, slidable inner supporting means between said unit and the inner face of the housing, and supporting means for the outer end of the unit, including a ring adapted removably to engage and abut against the end edge of the cylindrical portion of the housing, a supporting connection between said ring and the unit, and an air pervious cover plate mounted directly upon and removable with and from said ring.

12. In a tank type vacuum cleaner, an outer housing having a generally cylindrical exhaust end portion, a motor and fan unit adapted for insertion directly inwardly into said exhaust end portion and including a motor, a fan operated by the motor, and a fan housing, slidable inner supporting means between said unit and the inner face of the housing, and supporting means for the outer end of the unit, including a ring adapted removably to engage and abut against the end edge of the cylindrical portion of the housing, a supporting connection between said ring and the unit, including a bearing hub for the motor, supported on the ring and substantially co-planar therewith, and an air pervious cover plate mounted directly upon and removable with and from said ring.

13. In combination, in a tank type vacuum cleaner including an outer housing, a motor and fan unit removably mounted therein, the motor including a rotor, bearing means for the opposite ends of the rotor, means for removably supporting said bearing means in relation to the outer housing, a fan mounted at one end of said rotor, a fan housing surrounding said fan, and a unitary deflector element connecting said fan housing and the fixed field portion of said motor. said unitary element including a portion adapted to deflect fan delivered air inwardly toward the exterior of the fixed field portion of the motor, said unitary member being also apertured to direct air endwise against the fixed field portion of the motor and the rotor, and constituting the support for the bearing means for the end of the rotor adjacent the fan.

WILLIAM J. CLEMENTS. 

